fireplace
Americannoun
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fireplaces
plural
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the part of a chimney that opens into a room and in which fuel is burned; hearth.
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any open structure, usually of masonry, for keeping a fire, as at a campsite.
noun
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an open recess in a wall of a room, at the base of a chimney, etc, for a fire; hearth
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an authorized place or installation for outside cooking, esp by a roadside
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fireplace
Explanation
A fireplace is a structure built into the wall of a house or building where a flame can be safely kindled, providing warmth and a cozy atmosphere, especially on cold nights. Often made of brick, stone, or metal, a fireplace not only warms a room but also creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere that offers relief from the cold. Historically, fireplaces were the heart of the home, essential for heating and cooking. In medieval times, they were often located in the center of the room, allowing the smoke to escape through a hole in the roof. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that chimneys became common, making fireplaces more efficient and less smoky.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It was walking distance from the subway and had a lovely if nonfunctional fireplace, and when the baby bunnies nested in our herb garden, I thought, Yes.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
These include using foam strips, sealant and specialist chimney draught excluders if you don't use your fireplace.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
The trio was given carte blanche to design their individual spaces, which include a bathroom, walk-in closet and fireplace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
According to The Real Deal, they included upgrades to the fireplace, a new roof, lighting and electrical updates, and improvements to the heating system.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
The great room is filled with the gentle sounds of needles clicking, along with the occasional snap or pop from the fireplace.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
The sets have too many doors, the scenes have a delirious number of extras and the actors yell their lines over the distracting clatter of crackling fireplaces, beeping machines and ticking clocks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
The GIFs of the Owens’ Massachusetts estate, with its cozy fireplaces perfect for pajama lounging, still blow up Tumblr every October.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Built in 1895, the historic residence spans an impressive 21,140 square feet and boasts several fireplaces, a media room, a five-car garage, and a resort-style pool and spa, according to property records.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 7, 2026
Built in 1912, this European-inspired Bratenahl home has four fireplaces, an elevator and original wood floors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
So many postcards—from Disneyland, Tijuana, the Golden Gate Bridge—perched among the saints over the fireplaces, in wall crannies, but the boys and the girl were gone.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
